Brazilian state of Pernambuco declares health emergency due to overcrowding in intensive care units

The governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra (PSDB), has officially declared a public health emergency in response to the severe overcrowding in neonatal and pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the state.

The critical situation in Pernambuco stems from the escalating cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) among individuals, particularly children, as indicated in the decree published in the Official Gazette.

As of Wednesday afternoon (21), a distressing number of 85 infants and children were awaiting available ICU beds within the public healthcare system of Pernambuco.

This year alone, over 2,000 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome have been reported among children under the age of 10, resulting in a devastating toll of more than 30 confirmed deaths.

The public health emergency declaration is initially set to last for 90 days but may be subject to extension as necessary.

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